Ashok Choudhary Files Defamation Case Against Prashant Kishor Over Chirag Paswan Allegation

JD(U) minister takes legal action after being accused of paying Chirag Paswan for daughter’s Lok Sabha ticket

HH News Desk 3 weeks agoLast Updated: June 7, 2025

1,348 2 minutes read

Patna: Bihar minister Ashok Choudhary has filed a defamation suit against Prashant Kishor, accusing the Jan Suraaj Party leader of making baseless and damaging claims that he bribed Union minister Chirag Paswan for a Lok Sabha ticket for his daughter.

The suit was filed on Tuesday in a Patna civil court, days after Kishor alleged publicly that Choudhary had paid Paswan to get his daughter Shambhavi Choudhary fielded from Samastipur, a Scheduled Caste-reserved parliamentary seat. She contested and won the seat on a Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) ticket in the recently concluded general election.

Speaking outside the court, Choudhary hit back sharply. “I sent him a legal notice after his remarks, but the response I received showed no remorse. If he cannot back his claim with evidence, he must apologise,” he said.

Ashok Choudhary: ‘Ready to go to Supreme Court’

“This isn’t just about me or my daughter,” Choudhary told reporters, “it’s about the kind of politics we allow. If someone makes a wild accusation without proof, they must be held accountable. I am ready to fight this in the Supreme Court if needed.”

The minister, who also holds the post of JD(U) national general secretary, defended his family’s political journey and dismissed Kishor’s insinuation outright.

“My father was a minister when the Congress ruled Bihar. I’ve been in public life for decades. My daughter earned her place through hard work, not by greasing anyone’s palms,” he said.

Personal attacks fly

Choudhary did not mince words when describing Kishor’s political background. “He’s not a politician. He’s a consultant who has worked with any party willing to pay him. Today he claims the moral high ground, but the public knows better,” he said.

In a pointed remark, Choudhary said Kishor was struggling to come to terms with his daughter’s success. “She’s the youngest MP, and she’s a Dalit girl. That’s something he clearly can’t digest.”

Shambhavi’s win was seen as a surprise by many observers, especially considering she came from outside the LJP fold. Her candidature was reportedly backed by Chirag Paswan himself, though neither he nor the party has publicly commented on the controversy.

Kishor silent for now

As of Tuesday evening, Prashant Kishor had not issued any statement in response to the court action. His last public remarks on the matter had reasserted his claim, but he has remained silent since Choudhary escalated the issue legally.

Kishor, once a close aide to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has since turned critic and built a political platform of his own in Bihar. His Jan Suraaj campaign has focused on systemic reform and grassroots outreach, and he has often used sharp rhetoric to target mainstream parties.

With assembly elections just a year away, the legal row between Choudhary and Kishor has stirred up fresh tension in Bihar’s already fractious political landscape.

Local observers say the case may drag on, but it has already intensified scrutiny on how political reputations are challenged — and defended — in the public square.

Source: On-ground reporting from Patna Civil Court, ANI inputs, and statements made by Ashok Choudhary to the press

Written by Raj C. | Published on 3 June 2025

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